How to Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10
GPT (GUID Partition Table) and MBR (Master Boot Record) are two different partition styles that can be used for a disk.
MBR disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GPT disks use unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI).
MBR vs GPT Basic Comparison:
MBR GPT Older partition style. Newer partition style. All Windows support as data drive. Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 support as data drive. All Windows can boot from. Windows can't boot from unless installed with 64-bit and UEFI.
Supports up to 4 primary partitions, or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition with up to 128 logical volumes. Supports up to 128 primary partitions. Supports up to 2TB for a partition. Supports up to 256TB for a partition. Removable media is MBR by default. Removable media cannot convert to GPT.
This tutorial will show you different ways on how to convert a data disk from GPT to MBR in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to convert GPT disk to MBR disk.
It is recommended to only convert GPT to MBR for a data disk and not an OS disk to avoid potentially not being able to boot the OS afterwards.
Contents
- Option One: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk using MiniTool Partition Wizard Free without Data Loss
- Option Two: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk using EaseUS Partition Master Free without Data Loss
- Option Three: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk using Disk Management with Data Loss
- Option Four: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk Disk using Diskpart command with Data Loss
1 If you haven't already, you will need to download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition.
2 Open MiniTool Partition Wizard, and click/tap on Launch Application. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the disk # (ex: Disk 4) of the GPT disk you want to convert to MBR, and click/tap on the Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 The data disk will now start converting from GPT to MBR. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)
8 You can now close MiniTool Partition Wizard if you like.
1 If you haven't already, you will need to download and install EaseUS Partition Master Free.
2 Open EaseUS Partition Master.
3 Click/tap on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) of the GPT disk you want to convert to MBR, and click/tap on the Convert GPT to MBR link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 The data disk will now start converting from GPT to MBR. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)
8 You can now close EaseUS Partition Master if you like.
You will lose all data on the disk you are converting using this option.
1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type diskmgmt.msc in Run, and click/tap on OK to open Disk Management.
2 In the disk (ex: Disk 3) that you want to convert, right click or press and hold on each partition (volume) on the disk, and click/tap on Delete Volume until the disk shows as unallocated. (see screenshot above)
You can only convert a disk from MBR to GPT partition style in Disk Management if the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes.
3 Right click or press and hold on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) box of the GPT disk you want to convert to MBR, and click/tap on Convert to MBR Disk. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated MBR disk. (see screenshot below)
You will lose all data on the disk you are converting using this option.
Be sure you verify the correct disk number of the disk you want to convert from Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) before starting this option.
1 Open either an elevated command prompt or a command prompt at boot for what you want to use.
2 Type thediskpart
command into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
3 Type thelist disk
command into the command prompt, and press Enter.
4 Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter.
select disk #
Substitute # in the command above with the actual disk number (ex: "3") of the disk you want to convert.
For example:select disk 3
5 Type theclean
command into the command prompt, and press Enter.
6 Type theconvert mbr
command into the command prompt, and press Enter.
7 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated MBR disk.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
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- How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10
- How to Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss
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